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Query Letters
The Way to Get Noticed and Your Book Published
Why Bother?
Agents take queries very seriously and really do read them
Agents actually respond to ones that spark their interest
What is it?
A single page cover letter, introducing you and your book
Has three paragraphs: Hook, Synopsis, Bio
The Heading
Your Name (Maybe a picture of your book)
Your Address / Your Number / Your Email
The Date
The Attention: Name of Agent
Position in Company
Company Name
Address
Dear ________:
The Hook
One sentence introduction to your book
Should include: Title
Word-count
Genre
Examples: House of Sand and Fog: When Massoud Amir
Behrani, a former colonel in the Iranian military, sinks his remaining funds into a house he buys at auction, he unwittingly puts himself and his family on a trajectory to disaster; the house once belonged to Kathy Nicolo, a self-destructive alcoholic, who engages in legal, then personal confrontation to get it back.
The Da Vinci Code: A murder in the silent after-hour halls of the Louvre museum reveals a sinister plot to uncover a secret that has been protected by a clandestine society since the days of Christ.
The Mini-Synopsis
One paragraph summary of your book
You can refer to: Book flaps in your favorite books
Blurbs on the back of books
Your own blurb
The Bio
All about you!
Only information about writing career.
Agents don’t care where you work
Awards
Publications
Degrees
Current writings
Closing
Thank the agent for their time and consideration.
Nonfiction: tell them that you’ve included an outline, table of contents, and sample chapters for their review.
Fiction: alert the agent that the full manuscript is available upon request.
Don’t query agents until you’ve finished your full fiction manuscript.
Agents will want to read the whole novel before they offer representation to you and your book.
Be sure to include a SASE with your letter
Do’s and Don’ts
DO
Address specifically to an agent
State the title of your book
Mention word-count and genre
Mention why you came to that particular agent: do RESEARCH
The style should match the book’s tone
Keep the letter to ONE PAGE
Format snail-mail to business alignment and heading
Have someone proofread
DON’T
Start by saying, "I am querying you because I found your name in 'such and such' writing guide or internet agent database“
Compare your book to other books
Send gifts or bribes
Use colored paper
Shrink your font
FedEx your query
Apologize for being a newbie writer
Include sample chapters
Forget to include your contact info and SASE
Useful Additions
Synopsis No more than three pages
Summarizes your ENTIRE book
Describe events that happen to the main character, don’t include subplots
Vitae Relevant education (not high school)
Awards
Writing Experience
Publications
Organization memberships
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